During my pregnancy with Hampton, I caked shea butter on my stomach and hips every day, but still got stretch marks. With Sophie, I knew I wanted to try something different. I read on other blogs that some women were using coconut oil and thought I would give it a try! It worked wonders because I didn’t get any new stretch marks! Hallelujah! This pregnancy, my face has been breaking out like crazy. It’s disgusting and has been driving me insane. I knew I needed to do some research and make more of an effort as far as a pregnancy skin care routine if I wanted anything to change.

I came across TULA products and read wonderful things about them. TULA means “balance” in Sanskrit and they use probiotics in every product that nourish your body. I knew I wanted to try the purifying face scrub and revitalizing eye cream, for sure. The dark circles under my eyes have been terrible lately – probably due to my lack of sleep (hello, pregnancy insomnia). I have been using TULA products for a couple of weeks now and love them! I’m always nervous to try new skin care products because I am very picky, but I am so glad I tried these because I am a new fan.

My pregnancy skin care routine is simple. I wash my face and moisturize it every morning and every night right before bed. I put on the eye cream right before bed every night. I cake my stomach, hips, butt and legs in coconut oil multiple times a day (at least three) or every time I’m feeling dry/itchy.

That’s it! I have been able to tell a difference in my skin these last couple of weeks and I can’t wait to see how much it improves over time. There is no time like the present to get your skin under control – pregnant, or not! AmIright?

I received product for this post but opinions are my own.

This week has been a lot of fun. We had Vacation Bible School at church. My kids really enjoyed it – until the last night. They both lost it and pitched royal fits but, it happens, right? VBS gave my kids something different to do this week which was nice. I also enjoyed doing the craft room with all of our littles. We have a ton of kids at our church and I love getting to work with them. They are so much fun. Also, hello 21 weeks! I’m over that halfway mark which is both scary and a little relieving at the same time. I am praying so hard for this baby to grow, grow, grow and hang in there. I have had a lot of cramping and pains again this week, but it has been a tough week to really relax. My MIL kept my kids for a few hours the other day and I got a lot of work related things done, but I swear I am having the hardest time relaxing. I have learned that resting does not come easy or natural to me, but for the health of my baby boy, I’m just going to have to get over it because I can tell a big difference in the days I do rest and the days I don’t.

I am 20 weeks pregnant now, and in some ways this pregnancy has flown by, but in the last two weeks, it has come to a screeching halt. I talked a little bit about my complications last week and about moderate bedrest yesterday and let me tell you, while I am thankful I’m not on full bedrest (yet, anyway), I am not enjoying not being able to lift my babies or run in the yard with them. I’m not enjoying not being able to go many places and having to be really careful when I do. I am already tired of “laying around” and it has made these last two weeks slow to snail speed. I am praying so hard that this placenta previa resolves itself in the next couple of months so that I can get back to business as usual.

I am not a doctor or medically trained professional. I advise you to seek the advice of your doctor when placed on moderate bedrest. I am only speaking from my own personal experiences with my own diagnosis.

Last week, after learning that I had complete placenta previa and started spotting and cramping, I was put on “moderate bedrest.” I’ve had a lot of pains this time around that have been very different than your typical round ligament pains. It took me by surprise because I am still young and my first two pregnancies had zero complications. I had never heard of “moderate bedrest” until last week. I though there was only “bedrest.” Who knew there was such a thing?

The first thing I did was ask my doctor a ton of questions and then talked to a close friend of mine, who happens to be a nurse,  about everything. They told me all the information I really needed to know and my doctor gave me instructions on what to do and not to do. I still did a lot of research on my own and found this article written by the APA that was also very helpful. For me, moderate bedrest means that I am on complete pelvic rest. No exercising and I was instructed to rest as much as possible to ease the pains and keep from bleeding again. Also, I am at a high risk for preterm labor, so operation keep baby in has commenced. Resting will help this process.

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This week has been a bit of a roller coaster. We went to the doctor last Friday to find out the gender of our baby – or rather, have it confirmed. Confession: Ryan and I found out while we were in Florida, but because I was only 16 weeks, I wanted to have it confirmed before announcing it. While at the doctor, I also found out I have complete Placenta Previa with this pregnancy. Sigh. This means that if it does not resolve itself by the end of my pregnancy, I will have to have a c-section. I will also more than likely have to be on bed rest for a little while at some point and am at a high risk for pre-term labor. Not something you ever want to hear.

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I can’t believe I am already 16 weeks pregnant! Little baby is growing along nicely as you can see! I have definitely popped these last couple of weeks. My stomach went from flat and easy to hide to POP and I basically had to tell everyone because it was getting so obvious. The news of this little angel absolutely knocked me off my feet. This pregnancy has been so weird and different than my other two. I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was 7 weeks along and didn’t go to the doctor for the first time until I was 10 weeks. I have been very sick, but that has slowed up a little bit in the last couple of weeks. I’m hoping it will move on completely soon. To say we have been shocked about this pregnancy is an understatement. I’m not getting into logistics here, but even my doctor said “God must have really wanted you to have a baby right now.”

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I am so excited to finally share our news that we have tried to hide for a while now, but it is getting increasingly more difficult to keep it a secret. A couple of months ago, I started feeling really sick. I thought it was probably stress related. I had lost a few pounds and wasn’t really sure what was going on. Then it hit me. I was a week late. I took a pregnancy test audit was negative. I once again chalked it up to stress and decided to move on. Two weeks later, I threw up before church. I felt awful and immediately my mind was racing. What on earth was going on with me? I took another test the next day…positive. Another little blessing along the way! To say this news knocked Ryan and I off our feet is a bit of an understatement.

The shock of our new little angel has finally started wearing off and we are starting to get really excited. This was not our timing at all. We had planned to have more children, but wanted to wait another year or two so that we could focus on our house (moving, decorating, investing in furniture), but once again, God had another plan for us. He has bee teaching me a lot over the last couple of months. I have learned that life is constantly changing and it is easier sometimes to not always have a plan and instead go with the flow. That is what we are doing. We are trusting God and His timing. We are also going to have to invest in a larger SUV, so any suggestion, mommas?

I feel so relieved to finally share this news with you all. I hope this helps explain one of my hiatus from blogland lately. I have been really sick this time around, but have started having more good days than bad as far as that goes. Now that I am feeling better and summer has arrived in Alabama, I am looking forward to getting back after it. I am just over 15 weeks along and we are due the first week of November! I am so excited to meet our little turkey baby!

Happy May! I thought today would be a very appropriate day to look back through my weeks of pregnancy. My due date is TOMORROW! So crazy! I loved putting together this post and looking back at my belly growth. While I gained much less during this pregnancy than I did my first, I still gained more than I wanted to. It will all be worth it when I see that sweet little girl. Here is a look back on my pregnancy:

Announcement

14 Weeks
15 Weeks
16 Weeks

17 Weeks
18 Weeks
21 Weeks

22 Weeks
23 Weeks
24 Weeks

25 Weeks

27 Weeks

29 Weeks
30 Weeks
32 Weeks

34 Weeks
35 Weeks

36 Weeks
37 Weeks
38 Weeks

39 Weeks

You might also enjoy reading How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy.

I have had a wonderful pregnancy this time around and I can’t believe it is almost over (any day now)! We can’t wait to meet our sweet angel!

ONE.
First of all, thank you all so much for your support, encouragement and advice on this post the other day. It was overwhelming and so encouraging and reassuring to read your comments on your experience with having a second child. It definitely made me feel better to write what has been on my heart the last few weeks and to share my fears with you. I never imagined you would all be so supportive. THAT is why I blog. I love you guys!

TWO.
I will be 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Full term, y’all! I can’t believe how fast this pregnancy has been. I’m feeling pretty good minus the normal aches and pains that come with the end of pregnancy. I won’t go into detail, but you know… I’m definitely ready to have her now. I’m ready to see what she looks like! I will be sharing more photos of her nursery very soon! I basically used all of Hampton’s nursery furniture and just added in a little pink. 🙂 I am looking very forward to my Doctor appointment next week because we are having an ultrasound to measure baby girl and talk about possibly inducing. While I had a positive experience being induced with Hamp, I haven’t totally decided if I want to be induced again. I’ll keep you all posted as best I can, but for more updates, follow my Instagram!

THREE.
Mother’s Day is coming up in one month from today! Have you thought about what you’re getting your mom? I shared a fun idea for a gift basket for all new mother’s in your life yesterday! Be sure to check it out!

FOUR.
We are taking Hampton to see and ride Thomas the Train tomorrow! I can’t wait!! He will be so excited and I can’t wait to see his little face! Let’s just pray I don’t go into labor while on that train ride. It could happen…

FIVE.
I officially have an Etsy addiction. It’s bad. You will see that more and more in the coming weeks. I have a few exciting giveaways coming up and so definitely check back in! Especially if you or someone you know is having a baby girl!

What is your favorite Etsy shop for a baby girl? What do you have planned this weekend?